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East Surrey Hospital welcomes latest emergency department figures

Redhill's East Surrey Hospital’s Emergency Department (A&E) is the best in the area, according to the latest results.

National A&E figures published last week stated that out of all of the hospitals in Surrey and Sussex during the period of October, November and December, the most patients waited less than the national target of four hours at East Surrey Hospital.

The showing made it the best performing A&E in the area, and tenth best in the country. East Surrey Hospital saw 97% of the 20,026 patients that came through the doors of A&E within four hours during the three months.

That is nearly four per cent better than the national average for the same period. Michael Wilson, chief executive at the East Surrey, which is run by Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “Our A&E performance is a remarkable achievement when you consider that only a few years ago this hospital was not achieving any of the standards in any of the metrics.”

Mr Wilson said: “The excellent level of performance we are now consistently achieving is testament to the new facilities and hard work of the dedicated staff.”

But he added: “However, albeit a relatively very small number of patients, we must acknowledge that three per cent of patients didn’t get seen as quickly as we’d like.

“I’d like to apologise to these patients and trust that their experience improved once within the department.”

Mr Wilson concluded: “A&E services up and down the country are getting busier year-on-year, and all are under increased scrutiny.

“I am very proud that we have risen to the challenge, but it’s important to remind local people that our A&E is for medical emergencies and not for minor ailments.”

He said people should remember that there are Minor Injuries Units in Crawley, Horsham and Caterham Dene, and people’s first port of call for non-urgent treatment should always be their GP. Website: www.surreyandsussex.nhs.uk